“Kind of a big reveal for us”— John Krasinski discusses Steve Carell’s return to ‘The Office’ finale after 2011 exit

Steve Carell's surprise return as Michael Scott in the 2013 series finale of The Office was a major moment for fans, and recently, John Krasinski shed some light on the behind-the-scenes details of that emotional return.

On May 15, Krasinski joined his former co-stars Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey on their podcast Office Ladies. Krasinski, who played Jim Halpert on the sitcom, discussed the planning for the final season. According to Krasinski, series creator Greg Daniels had initially proposed Carell's return early on. However, as filming approached, scheduling conflicts with another project for Carell arose.

"It wasn't like he didn't want to do it," Krasinski clarified on Office Ladies about Carell. "It was just like scheduling and all that."

He also noted that Daniels, known for his affable nature, was hesitant to pressure Carell into participating. Krasinski further revealed that even the cast themselves were surprised by Carell's eventual return.

"And then the whole Steve reveal was kind of a big reveal for us, too," he said. "Like his appearance was huge."

Carell's return in the finale proved to be a major emotional moment for both fans and the show's characters.

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Steve Carell's surprise return in The Office finale discussed by John Krasinski

Fans of The Office love the factor of emotional return when Steve Carell as Michael Scott returned to the 2013 Series finale. John Krasinski divulged some stuff about the classic moment on his fellow “Office” cast mates, Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey’s podcast titled Office Ladies.

While Jenna Fischer, Rainn Wilson, and Krasinski were secretly informed a few days before by Daniels, Angela Kinsey remained in the dark until she saw Carell in person. This secrecy added another layer to the episode's intrigue.

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Krasinski and Steve Carell collaborated for new movie, IF

The Office alums also fondly reminisced about their time together, describing it as "the best."

Notably, John Krasinski's appearance also promoted his new film, IF, which he co-stars in with Carell, hinting at a continued creative partnership.

Steve Carell's comedic influence remained strong for John Krasinski. Discussing writing for Carell in his new film, Krasinski described it as both easy and strangely nostalgic. He found himself reminiscing about funny moments from The Office while writing for his former co-star. This experience reflects the emotional impact Carell's departure had on the cast, further emphasizing the significance of his surprise return in the finale.

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The emotional weight of Steve Carell's absence is well-documented. Many cast members found it difficult to see him leave, and some fans believe the show's quality dipped afterward. Even filming Steve Carell's final episode was tearful, with showrunner Greg Daniels reportedly struggling to keep the mood light.

Steve Carell's return in the finale resonated deeply with fans and the cast alike, not only because of the character's popularity but also because it brought a sense of closure after a difficult departure.